This document discusses the concept of holiness through several biblical passages. It begins by defining holiness as the traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc. that are part of a group or nation's history. The document then examines passages from Hebrews that discuss running the race of faith with endurance. It emphasizes pursuing peace with all people and holiness in order to see God. The document analyzes having proper posture and perception to avoid falling short of God's grace. It concludes by drawing lessons from Esau not to forfeit your future blessings for fleeting fulfillment.

1. Holiness
January 4, 2015

2. “Our heritage and ideals, our code and
standards – the things we live by and teach our
children – are preserved or diminished by how
freely we exchange ideas and feelings”
- Walt Disney

3. Definition:
• The traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part
of the history of a group or nation;
• Something transmitted by or acquired from a
predecessor.
Synonyms:
• tradition;
• legacy;
• birthright;
• Inheritance.

4. 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble
knees,
13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be
dislocated, but rather be healed.
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will
see the Lord:
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any
root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become
defiled;
16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one
morsel of food sold his birthright.
17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing,
he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought
it diligently with tears.

5. Hebrews 12:1-2
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by
so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which so easily
ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith, who for the
joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the
right hand of the throne of God.

6. Hebrews 12:3-11
The race requires…
 Perseverance and Persistence (v. 3)
 A Price to be Paid (v. 4)
 Preparation in the Present (v. 11)
But results in…
 Personal Profit (v.10)
 Partaking in Holiness (v. 10)
 Producing Peace (v. 11)

7. Hebrews 12:12 – 17
Holiness requires us to consider our…
1 Posture (vv. 12-13)
2 Pursuit (v. 14)
3 Perception (v. 15)
a. Position (v. 15)
b. Produce (v. 15)
4 Promises (vv. 16-17)

8. Verses 12-13: “strengthen (orthos) your hands
and knees…so that what is lame may not be
dislocated, but rather be healed”
 Poor form results in ultimate failure.
 Most people begin well…Winners finish well.
 Weariness and discouragement change our attitude,
focus, language, thoughts, and actions.
 The difference between finishing and failing is the
ability (and willingness) to posture oneself for health
and healing (v. 13).

9. Verse 14: “Pursue peace with all people, and
holiness, without which no one will see the Lord”
The race is characterized by:
 Harmony with People (2nd Commandment)
 Harmony with God (1st Commandment)
 The race is not a matter of temporal competition
but rather eternal communion.

10. Verse 15: “looking carefully lest anyone fall
short of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this
many become defiled”
 Position: We must be careful not to lag behind and
thereby never finish our journey.
 Produce: We must be careful to examine what is
growing in our lives.
 The decisions we make today dictate our
destination tomorrow.

11. Lessons from Esau: Our Pattern by Contrast
 Never forfeit your future for fleeting fulfillment.
 When you make deals with the deceiver, he will take
more than you bargained for.
 Your birthright and blessing are eternally valuable,
don’t wait until its too late to run to the Father.

12. Holiness
January 4, 2015